River Wye is a beautiful river with great fishing River Wye. River Wye The River Wye or [afon gwn for our Welsh members,] is the fifth longest river in the in UK, stretching some 215 kilometres 134 miles from source to sea. For much of its length the river forms part of the border between England and Wales. The Wye Valley is an Area of outstanding natural beauty . The Wye use to be considered one of the best Salmon rivers outside of Scotland, some of its tributaries include the river’s Lugg, Elan,Dulas, Irfon. Marteg, Monnow, Trothy Ithon and Llynfi all of these rivers are worth a closer look at in the future by River Angler. Wye The source of the River Wye is in the Welsh mountains at Plynlimon. [Hence it being in the Wales section] It flows through or past several towns and villages including Hay on wye through to Hereford, Ross on Wye, Symonds Yat, [a beautiful area for fishing] Monmouth, and along to the River Severn near Chepstow.

The River Wye Has a run of salmon but in recent years these have been in decline so the Wye and Usk Foundation was set up to redress this issue and help to restore the spring salmon runs up the river , More recently with the surge in specialist fishing the river is noted for its Barbel fishing and we will take a closer look at the Game and Coarse fishing clubs along this truly beautiful river. Monmouth and district Angling Society have water on the wye and offer yearbooks and day tickets They have fishing both banks from Monmouth bridge 1220 yards downstream to the mouth of the river Trothy also river Trothy fishing with fly and worm for the Trout.

Ross on Wye Angling Club has around 5 mile of fishing on the Wye for Salmon and coarse fish and offers yearly membership The River Wye - Source to Builth Wells (Star Video) The River Wye Monmouth to Mouth The River Wye from its source to Builth Wells The course of the River Wye described on this page is in the area of Mid Wales - starting in what is almost North Wales adjacent to one of the last wildernesses in Britain - to the town of Builth Wells, which lies in the heart of Wales. The Source of the River Wye The River Wye rises in the Plynlimon Hills in central Wales. The Welsh name is Plunlumon - meaning five peaks. This area is the largest watershed in Wales - as well as the Wye the longest river in Britain, the river Severn has its source here. In fact the sources of the Severn and Wye are only about two miles apart - ironic as they take different courses and meet again as they flow into the sea. According to folklore, a giant sleeps beneath the Plynlimon Hills. The area is important to birds for wintering, feeding and breeding.

Of note are Black and Red grouse, Hen Harrier, Short Eared Owl and Merlin. Back to Top Pant Mawr Few drivers going to and from Aberystwyth on the A44 realise that, as they pass through Pant Mawr they cross the River Wye by the first road bridge the Wye meets. It is a bubbling stream that comes tumbling down from the hills, but after passing beneath the A44 the Wye is joined by its first tributary - the Afon Terennig - and starts down its own valley - a river. Tributaries of the River Wye: Tarennig Back to Top Llangurig Sited in the county of Powys, Llangurig is the first actual village on the River Wye. At an altitude of 305 metres (1000 feet) Llangurig is said to be the highest village in Wales. In August each year Llangurig is host to an agricultural show and sheepdog trials.

The Railway that (almost) never was In the nineteenth century the Milford and Manchester Railway Company (M&M) and Mid Wales Railway Company (MWR) agreed to co-operate in building a line to connect Llanidloes with Aberystwyth on the coast. In accordance with the agreement the M&M completed the 5km line from Llanidloes to Llangurig. However at next section from Llangurig to Strata Florida – to be built by the MWR was a rather greater engineering challenge: it required 2km of tunnels and a large viaduct or order to get past the Plynlimon Hills. The M&M would then complete the line to Aberystwyth. However because of the magnitude of the engineering challenge faced by the MRW, and the fact that 1866 was a difficult year financially (in particular the bank Overend, Gurney & Company collapsed owing about 11 million pounds – a massive amount then) the route west of Llangurig was abandoned after minimal work.

However the station at Llanidloes had been extended in anticipation of the new line, this work being done by the Llanidloes and Newtown Railway Company (L&N). When the project collapsed the L&N ran a single goods train to Llangurig. This enabled them to legally invoice the M&M for its share of the cost of extending Llanidloes. This was how Llangurig came to have the shortest lived railway service in the UK – with just one train visiting before cancellation. Back to Top The valley south of Llangurig The River Wye turns south after Llangurig – and begins to take on its own identity. In the 17 kilometres (11 miles) between Llangurig and Rhyader the river goes through the first stretch that can be described as spectacular, with high hills on either side. The A470 takes advantage of the river valley and accompanies the river for many miles to come. Along this stretch the Afon Marteg joins the Wye. Back to Top The Bryn Titli Wind Farm On a plateau around the hills of Banc Dolhelfa and Bryn Titli this wind farm was completed in 1994.

The 22 wind turbines are capable of generating 10MW of electricity – enough to supply 5300 homes. It isoperated by npwer renewables who reputedly inject £150 000 into the local economy each year through rent and maintenance. The 'Welsh Lake District' is described on a separate page Rhayader is described on a separate page Back to Top Gigrin Farm Red Kite Feeding Station Just outside of Rhayader, the once rare bird of prey the Red Kite is fed daily. In absolute terms the birds are fed at the same time every day all year round. In practical terms this means 2pm in the winter and 3pm in the summer. This disparity is because the birds are used to being fed at the same time, and have no concept of Greenwich Mean Time and British Summer Time (that is, the clocks going forward in the Spring and back in the Autumn). These feedings are open to the public and can be spectacular. Gigrin Farm played a major role in what must be considered an astonishing success story. The Red Kite was once so common across Britain that in the 16th Century it was declared vermin.

By the beginning of the 20th Century the bird had been eradicated from England, with a similar story in Scotland. A very few breeding pairs hung on in mid Wales. Only then were efforts made to conserve the Red Kite - and the population in Wales stabilised then started to grow. In 1992 the RSPB came to an agreement with Gigrin Farm that Red Kites would be fed there daily. At the time 54 of the Birds were monitored in Wales (with five in England and Scotland). The latest figures are for 2008 with 568 monitored in Wales (and 475 in England and Scotland). In 2008 there were an estimated 750-900 Red Kites in Wales - when compared with an estimated 259 in 2000 there are probably over 1000 today. Red Kites: Crucial Information The Red Kite has a wingspan of nearly 2 metres, but with a small body weight of 1-1.5kg. This allows the bird to be extremely agile, and to stay in the air for long periods with very little effort.

However this also makes it relatively weak. Although a carrion feeder, for example, it cannot penetrate the carcass of a sheep and has to wait for another scavenger such as a fox or buzzard to make an inroad before it can feed. It is their chestnut colour that gives the Red Kite its name - but it is its obviously forked tail that most easily distinguishes it from other birds of prey such as buzzards. Red Kites first breed at two to three years old. Generally, they mate for life, although a few 'divorces' have been recorded where both members of a former pair have been found breeding with new partners. Map of River Wye - The Full Wiki The Full Wiki Map showing all locations mentioned on Wikipedia article: The River Wye ( ) is the fifth-longest river in the UK and for parts of its length forms part of the border between England . It is important for nature conservation and recreation. Description The source of the Wye is in the Welsh mountains at Plynlimon . It flows through or past several towns and villages including Rhayader , meeting the Severn estuary just below Chepstow .

The Wye itself is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and one of the most important rivers in the UK for nature conservation. Much of the lower valley is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty . The Wye is largely unpolluted and is therefore considered one of the best rivers for salmon fishing in the United Kingdom , outside of Scotland . It is also a popular river with canoeists due to the relatively slow flowing water, making it good for beginners. The Symonds Yat Rapids are more challenging. Walkers can enjoy the Wye Valley Walk which follows the route of the River Wye from Hay-on-Wye to Chepstow along a series of well maintained way-marked paths. A viewpoint near The Biblins on the Wye is known as 'Three Counties View', the meeting place of the counties of Herefordshire and Monmouthshire . The lower of the river from Redbrook to Chepstow form the border between England and Wales. Tributaries , Letton Lake, Tarennig (the Wye's first tributary) and Bidno. History The Romans constructed a bridge of wood and stone just upstream of present day Chepstow.

The River Wye was and still is navigable up to Monmouth at least since the early 14th century. It was improved from there to a short distance below Hereford by Sir William Sandys in the early 1660s with lock to enable vessels to pass weirs. According to Herefordshire Council Archaeology, these were flash locks. The work proved to be insufficiently substantial and in 1696 a further Act of Parliament authorised the County of Hereford to buy up and demolish the mills on the Wye and Lugg. All locks and weirs were removed, except that at New Weir Forge below Goodrich , which survived until about 1815. This was paid for by a tax on the County. Weirs were removed all along the Wye in Herefordshire , making the river passable to the western boundary, and beyond it at least to Hay on Wye . A horse towing path was added in 1808, but only up to Hereford; previously, as on the River Severn , barges were man-hauled.

Money was spent several times improving the River Lugg from Leominster to its confluence with the Wye at Mordiford , but its navigation is likely to have been difficult. The Wye remained commercially navigable until the 1850s, when commercial traffic moved to railways . It is still used by pleasure craft. Navigation and sport The Environment Agency is the navigation authority for the river. The Normal Tidal Limit (NTL) of the river is Bigsweir and navigation below this point is under the control of the Gloucester Harbour Trustees as Competent Harbour Authority. Kayaking near Hay on Wye The River Wye provides for canoeing and kayaking as it has sections suitable for all ranges of skills and free access all the way downstream from Glasbury and the Severn Estuary . There are a wide range of canoe hire and supervised trips, as well as campsites at key points on the river. Symonds Yat has a particularly popular series of rapids that was purchased by the British Canoe Union in 2003 to preserve the rapids for recreational use. There are three rowing clubs on the river at Hereford, Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth .

Annual regattas are held at Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth for rowers and scullers of all abilities, next to the local rowing club. Cultural references The Romantic poet William Wordsworth includes an apostrophe to the Wye in his famous poem " Lines Written a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey " published 1798 in Lyrical Ballads How oft, in spirit, have I turned to thee, O sylvan Wye! thou wanderer thro' the woods, How often has my spirit turned to thee! References River Wye : definition of River Wye and synonyms of River Wye (English) 12 External links Etymology The Roman name for the River Wye was the "Vaga", which stems from vagus meaning to roam (vagor) or the wanderer.[ citation needed ] The Tithe map references a Vagas Field in both Whitchurch and Chepstow . [1] . The modern Welsh name "Gwy" may have entitled from the old Welsh "Gwybiol" or "Gwyr" (crooked wandering hills). [2] Description The source of the Wye is in the Welsh mountains at Plynlimon .

It flows through or past several towns and villages including Rhayader , Builth Wells , Hay-on-Wye , Hereford (the only city on the River Wye), Ross-on-Wye , Symonds Yat , Monmouth and Tintern , meeting the Severn estuary just below Chepstow . The total length is 215 km. [3] The Wye itself is a Site of Special Scientific Interest , a Special Area of Conservation and one of the most important rivers in the UK for nature conservation. Much of the lower valley is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty . The Wye is largely unpolluted and used to be considered[ by whom? ] one of the best rivers for salmon fishing in the United Kingdom , outside of Scotland . However, in recent years the runs of salmon in the Wye have declined dramatically and according to the Environment Agency rod catch returns for 2009 it is not even the most productive salmon river in Wales, as more salmon were caught from the Welsh Dee . In England the Tyne , Ribble , Wear , Lune and Eden all had larger catches in 2009.

In 1967 the Wye rod catch was 7,864; as recently as 1988 it was 6,401 but by 2002 it was only 357, a low from which it is recovering only very slowly despite the extensive habitat improvement work carried out by the Wye and Usk Foundation that was set up to restore the spring salmon runs. The Wye was particularly famous for its large "spring" salmon that had spent three or more years at sea before returning to spawn. They used to enter the river between January and June and sometimes reached weights of over 50 lbs, the largest recorded being 59 lbs 8oz landed after a long fight by Miss Doreen Davey from the Cowpond Pool at Ballingham on 13 March 1923. The last recorded 50 lb rod-caught salmon from the Wye was taken in 1963 by Donald Parrish and weighed 51 lbs 8oz. These large spring salmon have virtually disappeared over the past two or three decades. It is also a popular river with canoeists due to the relatively slow-flowing water, making it good for beginners.

The Symonds Yat Rapids are more challenging. There is a public right of navigation downstream from Hay. Walkers can enjoy the Wye Valley Walk which follows the route of the River Wye from Coed Hafren to Chepstow along a series of well-maintained way-marked paths. A viewpoint near The Biblins on the Wye is known as 'Three Counties View', the meeting place of the counties of Herefordshire , Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire . The lower 16 miles (26 km) of the river from Redbrook to Chepstow forms the border between England and Wales. Tributaries The Wye's tributaries include the rivers Lugg and Arrow, Elan, Dulas, Irfon, Marteg, Monnow , Trothy , Ithon, Llynfi , Letton Lake, Tarennig (the Wye's first tributary) and Bidno. This list is incomplete ; you can help by expanding it . History The river between Tintern and Chepstow The Romans constructed a bridge of wood and stone just upstream of present day Chepstow.

The River Wye was and still is navigable up to Monmouth at least since the early 14th century. It was improved from there to a short distance below Hereford by Sir William Sandys in the early 1660s with locks to enable vessels to pass weirs. According to Herefordshire Council Archaeology, these were flash locks. [4] The work proved to be insufficiently substantial and in 1696 a further Act of Parliament authorised the County of Hereford to buy up and demolish the mills on the Wye and Lugg. All locks and weirs were removed, except that at New Weir Forge below Goodrich , which survived until about 1815. This was paid for by a tax on the County. Weirs were removed all along the Wye in Herefordshire , making the river passable to the western boundary, and beyond it at least to Hay on Wye . A horse towing path was added in 1808, but only up to Hereford; previously, as on the River Severn , barges were man-hauled.

Money was spent several times improving the River Lugg from Leominster to its confluence with the Wye at Mordiford , but its navigation is likely to have been difficult. The Wye remained commercially navigable until the 1850s, when commercial traffic moved to railways . It is still used by pleasure craft. Kayaking near Hay on Wye Water transport at Symonds Yat Navigation and sport The Environment Agency is the navigation authority for the river. The Normal Tidal Limit (NTL) of the river is Bigsweir and navigation below this point is under the control of the Gloucester Harbour Trustees as Competent Harbour Authority. The River Wye provides for canoeing and kayaking as it has sections suitable for all ranges of skills and free access all the way downstream from Glasbury through Hay-on-Wye to Hereford to Monmouth the canoe hub and the Tidal Wye to Chepstow and the 1st Severn Bridge Severn Estuary . [5] There are a wide range of canoe hire and supervised trips, as well as campsites at key points on the river.

Symonds Yat has a particularly popular series of rapids that was purchased by the British Canoe Union in 2003 to preserve the rapids for recreational use, canoe trips through the rapids stop next at Monmouth. [6] There are three rowing clubs on the river at Hereford, Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth . Annual regattas are held at Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth for rowers and scullers of all abilities, next to the local rowing club. Cultural references The Romantic poet William Wordsworth includes an apostrophe to the Wye in his famous poem " Lines Written a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey " published 1798 in Lyrical Ballads How oft, in spirit, have I turned to thee, O sylvan Wye! thou wanderer thro' the woods, How often has my spirit turned to thee!

Views of the river Chepstow Bridge at very high tide Victoria Bridge, Hereford River Wye Explained River Wye River Wye Explained The River Wye (Welsh: Afon Gwy) is the fifth-longest river in the UK, stretching some 215km (134miles) from its source on Plynlimon in mid Wales to the Severn estuary . For much of its length the river forms part of the border between England and Wales . The Wye Valley (lower part) is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty . [1] [2] The Wye is important for nature conservation and recreation. Etymology The Wye's Latin name is Vaga, an adjective meaning 'wandering'. The Tithe map references a Vagas Field in both Whitchurch and Chepstow . [3] The modern Welsh name Gwy may be derived from old Welsh Gwybiol or Gwyr (crooked wandering hills). [4] Description The source of the Wye is in the Welsh mountains at Plynlimon .

It flows through or past several towns and villages including Rhayader , Builth Wells , Hay-on-Wye , Hereford (the only city on the River Wye), Ross-on-Wye , Symonds Yat , Monmouth and Tintern , meeting the Severn estuary just below Chepstow . Its total length is . [5] The lower 16miles of the river from Redbrook to Chepstow forms the border between England and Wales. Conservation Enref: 1006327 The River Wye forms two Sites of Special Scientific Interest , one covering the Upper Wye (Gwy Uchaf) above Hay-on-Wye, [6] and one covering the Lower Wye (Gwy Isaf) downstream to Chepstow. [7] The criteria for inclusion of the river as an SSSI include geology, topography, flora, mammals, invertebrates, fish and birdlife, as the river and its tributaries constitute a large linear ecosystem. The Lower Wye SSSI is itself divided into seven units of assessment set by Natural England , and administrative responsibilities are shared between the county authorities of Powys , Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, and Monmouthshire.

[7] The Wye abuts a range of other SSSIs in England and Wales, including the Upper Wye Gorge and Lower Wye Gorge . It is also a Special Area of Conservation [8] [9] and one of the most important rivers in the UK for nature conservation. It is an important migration route and wildlife corridor, as well as a key breeding area for many nationally and internationally important species. The river supports a range of species and habitats covered by European Directive s and those listed under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 . [7] In Powys the river lies within the Radnorshire Environmentally Sensitive Area . Much of the lower valley is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty . Salmon The Lower Wye has been designated as a salmonid fishery under the EC Freshwater Fish Directive. [7] The Wye is largely unpolluted and used to be considered one of the best rivers for salmon fishing in the United Kingdom, outside Scotland . In the 1980s and 1990s salmon in the Wye declined dramatically.

In 1967 the Wye rod catch was 7,864, and as recently as 1988 it was 6,401; but by 2002 it was only 357. It is now recovering from this low in response to the extensive habitat improvement work carried out by the Wye and Usk Foundation, set up to restore the spring salmon runs. In 2015 the 5 year average once again climbed above 1,000 and it is now the 3rd best salmon river in England and Wales, surpassed only by the Tyne and Wear . The Wye was particularly famous for its large "spring" salmon that had spent three or more years at sea before returning to spawn. They used to enter the river between January and June and sometimes reached weights of over 50lbs, the largest recorded being 59 lbs 8oz (27.0 kg) landed after a long fight by Miss Doreen Davey from the Cowpond Pool at Ballingham on 13 March 1923.

The last recorded 50 lb rod-caught salmon from the Wye was taken in 1963 by Donald Parrish and weighed 51 lbs 8oz (23.4 kg). Since the early 2000's the spring catch has been steadily recovering and salmon of over 35lb have been reported every year since 2011. History The Romans constructed a bridge of wood and stone just upstream of present-day Chepstow. The River Wye was and still is navigable up to Monmouth at least since the early 14th century. It was improved from there to a short distance below Hereford by Sir William Sandys in the early 1660s with lock s to enable vessels to pass weirs. According to Herefordshire Council Archaeology, these were flash locks. [10] The work proved to be insufficiently substantial and in 1696 a further Act of Parliament authorised the County of Hereford to buy up and demolish the mills on the Wye and Lugg. All locks and weirs were removed, except that at New Weir Forge below Goodrich , which survived until about 1815.

This was paid for by a tax on the County. Weirs were removed all along the Wye in Herefordshire , making the river passable to the western boundary, and beyond it at least to Hay on Wye . A horse towing path was added in 1808, but only up to Hereford; previously, as on the River Severn , barges were man-hauled. Money was spent several times improving the River Lugg from Leominster to its confluence with the Wye at Mordiford , but its navigation is likely to have been difficult. The Wye remained commercially navigable until the 1850s, when commercial traffic moved to railways. It is still used by pleasure craft. Navigation and sport The Environment Agency is the navigation authority for the river. The Normal Tidal Limit (NTL) of the river is Bigsweir and navigation below this point is under the control of the Gloucester Harbour Trustees as Competent Harbour Authority. There is a public right of navigation downstream from Hay-on-Wye . [11] Canoe s are generally permitted at and downstream of Glasbury , so long as they do not disturb anglers.

[12] The River Wye provides for canoeing and kayaking as it has sections suitable for all ranges of skills and free access all the way downstream from Hay to Hereford and Monmouth , and the tidal Wye to Chepstow and the Severn Estuary . [13] There are a wide range of canoe hire and supervised trips, as well as campsites at key points on the river. Symonds Yat has a particularly popular series of rapids that was purchased by the British Canoe Union in 2003 to preserve the rapids for recreational use, canoe trips through the rapids stop next at Monmouth. [14] There are three rowing clubs on the river at Hereford, Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth . Annual regatta s are held at Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth for rowers and scullers of all abilities, next to the local rowing club. Walkers can enjoy the Wye Valley Walk which follows the route of the River Wye from Coed Hafren, near Plynlimon, to Chepstow along a series of well-maintained way-marked paths.

A viewpoint near The Biblins on the Wye is known as 'Three Counties View', the meeting place of the counties of Herefordshire , Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire . Tributaries The Wye's tributaries include the river Lugg , Elan, Dulas, Irfon, Marteg, Monnow , Trothy , Ithon, Llynfi , Letton Lake, Tarennig (the Wye's first tributary) and Bidno. Cultural references The Romantic poet William Wordsworth includes an apostrophe to the Wye in his famous poem " Lines Written a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey " published 1798 in Lyrical Ballads How oft, in spirit, have I turned to thee, O sylvan Wye! thou wanderer thro' the woods, How often has my spirit turned to thee! Bridges on the river River Wye, Wales : Wikis (The Full Wiki) The Full Wiki More info on River Wye, Wales Wikis River Wye, Wales: Wikis Advertisements Note: Many of our articles have direct quotes from sources you can cite, within the Wikipedia article!

This article doesn't yet, but we're working on it! See more info or our list of citable articles . Related top topics (Redirected to River Wye article) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia River Wye (Afon Gwy) 4,136 km2 (1,597 sq mi ) The Wye at Chepstow , showing the castle and the road bridge linking Monmouthshire (on the left) with Gloucestershire This article is about the river that flows along or close to the Anglo-Welsh border. For other rivers called Wye, see River Wye (disambiguation) . The River Wye ( Welsh : Afon Gwy) is the fifth-longest river in the UK and for parts of its length forms part of the border between England and Wales . It is important for nature conservation and recreation. Contents 8 See also Description The source of the Wye is in the Welsh mountains at Plynlimon .

It flows through or past several towns and villages including Rhayader , Builth Wells , Hay-on-Wye , Hereford , Ross-on-Wye , Symonds Yat , Monmouth and Tintern , meeting the Severn estuary just below Chepstow . The Wye itself is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and one of the most important rivers in the UK for nature conservation. Much of the lower valley is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty . The Wye is largely unpolluted and is therefore considered one of the best rivers for salmon fishing in the United Kingdom , outside of Scotland . It is also a popular river with canoeists due to the relatively slow flowing water, making it good for beginners. The Symonds Yat Rapids are more challenging. Walkers can enjoy the Wye Valley Walk which follows the route of the River Wye from Hay-on-Wye to Chepstow along a series of well maintained way-marked paths. A viewpoint near The Biblins on the Wye is known as 'Three Counties View', the meeting place of the counties of Herefordshire , Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire .

The lower 16 miles (26 km) of the river from Redbrook to Chepstow form the border between England and Wales. Tributaries The Wye's tributaries include the rivers Lugg , Elan, Irfon, Marteg, Monnow , Trothy , Ithon, Llynfi , Letton Lake, Tarennig (the Wye's first tributary) and Bidno. This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it. History Gloucester to Newport Line The Romans constructed a bridge of wood and stone just upstream of present day Chepstow. The River Wye was and still is navigable up to Monmouth at least since the early 14th century. It was improved from there to a short distance below Hereford by Sir William Sandys in the early 1660s with locks to enable vessels to pass weirs. According to Herefordshire Council Archaeology, these were flash locks. [1] The work proved to be insufficiently substantial and in 1696 a further Act of Parliament authorised the County of Hereford to buy up and demolish the mills on the Wye and Lugg.

All locks and weirs were removed, except that at New Weir Forge below Goodrich , which survived until about 1815. This was paid for by a tax on the County. Weirs were removed all along the Wye in Herefordshire , making the river passable to the western boundary, and beyond it at least to Hay on Wye . A horse towing path was added in 1808, but only up to Hereford; previously, as on the River Severn , barges were man-hauled. Money was spent several times improving the River Lugg from Leominster to its confluence with the Wye at Mordiford , but its navigation is likely to have been difficult. The Wye remained commercially navigable until the 1850s, when commercial traffic moved to railways . It is still used by pleasure craft. Navigation and sport The Environment Agency is the navigation authority for the river. The Normal Tidal Limit (NTL) of the river is Bigsweir and navigation below this point is under the control of the Gloucester Harbour Trustees as Competent Harbour Authority.

Kayaking near Hay on Wye The River Wye provides for canoeing and kayaking as it has sections suitable for all ranges of skills and free access all the way downstream from Glasbury through Hay-on-Wye to Hereford and the Severn Estuary [2] . There are a wide range of canoe hire and supervised trips, as well as campsites at key points on the river. Symonds Yat has a particularly popular series of rapids that was purchased by the British Canoe Union in 2003 to preserve the rapids for recreational use [3] . There are three rowing clubs on the river at Hereford, Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth . Annual regattas are held at Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth for rowers and scullers of all abilities, next to the local rowing club. Cultural references The Romantic poet William Wordsworth includes an apostrophe to the Wye in his famous poem " Lines Written a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey " published 1798 in Lyrical Ballads How oft, in spirit, have I turned to thee, O sylvan Wye! thou wanderer thro' the woods, How often has my spirit turned to thee!

References I. Cohen, 'The non-tidal Wye and its navigation' Trans. Woolhope Nat. Fld. Club 34 (1955), 83-101; V. Stockinger, The Rivers Wye and Lugg Navigation: a documentary history 1555-1951 (Logaston Press 1996); P. King, 'The river Teme and other Midlands River Navigations' Journal of Railway and Canal Historical Society 35(50 (July 2006), 350-1. River Wye River Wye River Lugg , Bachawy, Afon Edw, more - right 4,136 km2 (1,597 sq mi) Map showing the River Wye from source to sea, excluding tributaries The River Wye ( Welsh : Afon Gwy) is the fifth-longest river in the UK, stretching some 215 kilometres (134 miles) from its source on Plynlimon in mid Wales to the Severn estuary . For much of its length the river forms part of the border between England and Wales .

The Wye Valley (lower part) is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty . [1] [2] The Wye is important for nature conservation and recreation. Contents 13 External links Etymology The Wye’s Latin name is Vaga, an adjective meaning ‘wandering’. The Tithe map references a Vagas Field in both Whitchurch and Chepstow . [3] The modern Welsh name Gwy may be derived from old Welsh Gwybiol or Gwyr (crooked wandering hills). [4] Description The source of the Wye is in the Welsh mountains at Plynlimon . It flows through or past several towns and villages including Rhayader , Builth Wells , Hay-on-Wye , Hereford (the only city on the River Wye), Ross-on-Wye , Symonds Yat , Monmouth and Tintern , meeting the Severn estuary just below Chepstow . Its total length is 134 miles (216 km). [5] The lower 16 miles (26 km) of the river from Redbrook to Chepstow forms the border between England and Wales.

Conservation England: 1,159.6 ha (2,865 acres) Wales: 245.2 ha (606 acres) Total: 1,404.8 ha (3,471 acres) Natural England website The River Wye forms two Sites of Special Scientific Interest , one covering the Upper Wye (Gwy Uchaf) above Hay-on-Wye, [6] and one covering the Lower Wye (Gwy Isaf) downstream to Chepstow. [7] The criteria for inclusion of the river as an SSSI include geology, topography, flora, mammals, invertebrates, fish and birdlife, as the river and its tributaries constitute a large linear ecosystem. The Lower Wye SSSI is itself divided into seven units of assessment set by Natural England , and administrative responsibilities are shared between the county authorities of Powys , Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, and Monmouthshire. [7] The Wye abuts a range of other SSSIs in England and Wales, including the Upper Wye Gorge and Lower Wye Gorge .

It is also a Special Area of Conservation [8] [9] and one of the most important rivers in the UK for nature conservation. It is an important migration route and wildlife corridor, as well as a key breeding area for many nationally and internationally important species. The river supports a range of species and habitats covered by European Directives and those listed under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 . [7] In Powys the river lies within the Radnorshire Environmentally Sensitive Area . Much of the lower valley is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty . Salmon The Lower Wye has been designated as a salmonid fishery under the EC Freshwater Fish Directive. [7] The Wye is largely unpolluted and used to be considered one of the best rivers for salmon fishing in the United Kingdom, outside Scotland . In the 1980s and 1990s salmon in the Wye declined dramatically. In 1967 the Wye rod catch was 7,864, and as recently as 1988 it was 6,401; but by 2002 it was only 357.

It is now recovering from this low in response to the extensive habitat improvement work carried out by the Wye and Usk Foundation, set up to restore the spring salmon runs. In 2015 the five-year average once again climbed above 1,000 and it is now the third best salmon river in England and Wales, surpassed only by the Tyne and Wear . The Wye was particularly famous for its large “spring” salmon that had spent three or more years at sea before returning to spawn. They used to enter the river between January and June and sometimes reached weights of over 50 pounds (23 kg), the largest recorded being 59 lb 8 oz (27.0 kg) landed after a long fight by Miss Doreen Davey from the Cowpond Pool at Ballingham on 13 March 1923. The last recorded 50 lb (23 kg) rod-caught salmon from the Wye was taken in 1963 by Donald Parrish and weighed 51 lb 8 oz (23.4 kg).

Since the early 2000s the spring catch has been steadily recovering and salmon of over 35 lb (16 kg) have been reported every year since 2011. History The Wye at Chepstow , showing the castle and the road bridge linking Monmouthshire (on the left) with Gloucestershire The Romans constructed a bridge of wood and stone just upstream of present-day Chepstow. The River Wye was and still is navigable up to Monmouth at least since the early 14th century. It was improved from there to a short distance below Hereford by Sir William Sandys in the early 1660s with locks to enable vessels to pass weirs. According to Herefordshire Council Archaeology, these were flash locks. [10] The work proved to be insufficiently substantial and in 1696 a further Act of Parliament authorised the County of Hereford to buy up and demolish the mills on the Wye and Lugg. All locks and weirs were removed, except that at New Weir forge below Goodrich , which survived until about 1815. This was paid for by a tax on the county.

Weirs were removed all along the Wye in Herefordshire , making the river passable to the western boundary, and beyond it at least to Hay on Wye . A horse towing path was added in 1808, but only up to Hereford; previously, as on the River Severn , barges were man-hauled. Money was spent several times improving the River Lugg from Leominster to its confluence with the Wye at Mordiford , but its navigation is likely to have been difficult. The Wye remained commercially navigable until the 1850s, when commercial traffic moved to railways. It is still used by pleasure craft. Navigation and sport Kayaking near Hay-on-Wye The Environment Agency is the navigation authority for the river. The Normal Tidal Limit (NTL) of the river is Bigsweir and navigation below this point is under the control of the Gloucester Harbour Trustees as Competent Harbour Authority. There is a public right of navigation downstream from Hay-on-Wye . [11] Canoes are generally permitted at and downstream of Glasbury , so long as they do not disturb anglers. [12] A railway poster advertising the Wye Valley as a tourist destination.

Date is before 1942. The River Wye provides for canoeing and kayaking as it has sections suitable for all ranges of skills and free access all the way downstream from Hay to Hereford and Monmouth , and the tidal Wye to Chepstow and the Severn Estuary . [13] There are a wide range of canoe hire and supervised trips, as well as campsites at key points on the river. Symonds Yat has a particularly popular series of rapids that was purchased by the British Canoe Union in 2003 to preserve the rapids for recreational use, canoe trips through the rapids stop next at Monmouth. [14] There are three rowing clubs on the river at Hereford, Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth . Annual regattas are held at Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth for rowers and scullers of all abilities, next to the local rowing club. Walkers can enjoy the Wye Valley Walk which follows the route of the River Wye from Coed Hafren, near Plynlimon, to Chepstow along a series of well-maintained way-marked paths.

A viewpoint near The Biblins on the Wye is known as ‘Three Counties View’, the meeting place of the counties of Herefordshire , Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire . Tributaries The Wye’s tributaries include the river Lugg , Elan, Dulas, Irfon, Marteg, Monnow , Trothy , Ithon, Llynfi , Letton Lake, Tarennig (the Wye’s first tributary) and Bidno. Cultural references The Romantic poet William Wordsworth includes an apostrophe to the Wye in his famous poem “ Lines Written a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey ” published 1798 in Lyrical Ballads : How oft, in spirit, have I turned to thee, O sylvan Wye! thou wanderer thro’ the woods, How often has my spirit turned to thee! Views of the river Angling facts Angling Resources by the Fatfisherman for England Herefordshire<BR> Section Jump Graham Elliott Fishing the Wye Herefordshire is an historic English county in the West Midlands. It is a ceremonial county and a unitary non-metropolitan county and district.

It borders the English ceremonial counties of Shropshire to the north, Worcestershire to the east, Gloucestershire to the south-east, and the Welsh preserved counties of Gwent to the south-west and Powys to the west. The Welsh unitary county covering the part of Gwent next to Herefordshire is Monmouthshire. Hereford is a cathedral city and is the county town and the largest settlement. The county is one of the most rural and sparsely populated in England. The land use is predominantly agricultural and the county is well known for its fruit and cider production, and the Hereford cattle breed. There are two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the county. The Wye Valley is located in the river's valleys south of Hereford, while the Malvern Hills are in the East of the county, along its border with Worcestershire. The River Wye, which at 135 miles is the fifth-longest in the United Kingdom, enters the county after briefly being its border with Powys. It flows through both Hereford and Ross-on-Wye before returning to Wales. Leominster is situated on the River Lugg, a tributary of the Wye.

Historically, the rivers Wye, Teme and Lugg were navigable but the wide seasonal variations in water levels mean that few craft larger than canoes and coracles are now used. The Lower Wye has been designated as a salmonid fishery under the EC Freshwater Fish Directive. The Wye is largely unpolluted and used to be considered one of the best rivers for salmon fishing in the United Kingdom, outside of Scotland. However, in recent years the runs of salmon in the Wye have declined dramatically, from which it is recovering only very slowly despite the extensive habitat improvement work carried out by the Wye and Usk Foundation that was set up to restore the spring salmon runs. The Wye's tributaries include the river Lugg, Elan, Dulas, Irfon, Marteg, Monnow, Trothy, Ithon, Llynfi, Letton Lake, Tarennig (the Wye's first tributary) and Bidno.

The Wye & Usk Foundation (WUF) has recently landed a major project to improve the fisheries of the Lugg and Arrow, the major tributaries of the Wye that join the main river below Hereford, including the release of salmon and sea trout fry. The early 19th century saw the construction of two canals, The Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal and The Leominster & Stourport Canal, but these were never successful and there are now few remains to be seen. The Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal is currently the subject a restoration project, which includes the construction of a new canal basin in Hereford city centre as part of the regeneration of the Edgar Street Grid. The project, however, is being undertaken by a small voluntary group and there is no expected date for any part of the canal to re-open for boating. Landlocked the county cannot offer saltwater sport but every other angler is more than catered for. Many venues are lightly fished due to the low population density.

Carp anglers will know that one of the famous Carp Lakes in the UK is in the county - Redmire Pool - which has held the UK carp record at least three times, each time raising the record by many pounds.

Question: The Lugg, Marteg, Monnow and Trothy are all tributaries of which river, the fifth longest in the UK?
Answer: WYE